Recognising excellence - enhancing equality

We are committed to supporting all staff to deliver their individual personal best, achieve excellence in a diverse range of areas within science and progress in their careers.

PhD student Safi Masandi was the winner of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Diversity Award 2018. She attended the BME Early Career Researchers Conference in April 2018;

"Attending this conference was empowering. It was an opportunity to meet individuals who were not only from BME background but who were also first or second-generation immigrants, the first in their family to attend university and/or complete their doctoral studies. For me the conference presented the opportunity to meet scientists who I could relate and look up to.

I was able to obtain some of the testimonials from Dr Bernadine Idowu, who organised the conference. 71% of the attendee stated that the conference increased their confidence and motivated them remain in academia whereas 82% said that the conference provided them with a better understanding of what is needed to remain in academia. The impact the conference had on other PhD students and post-docs highlights the importance of conferences such as this one."

Useful links on equality and diversity

Supporting trans staff and students

The University celebrates and values the diversity of its staff and students and believes that the employment and inclusion of trans people at all levels of responsibility and trans students within our community enriches our University environment.

We will treat all trans employees and students with respect and strive to provide a positive working and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation, to enable them to achieve the best outcomes.

We are the proud holders of the Athena Swan Bronze Award which recognises our commitment to advancing the careers of talented women in our faculty.

This is led by co-chairs Dr Sue Whittle and Dr Julie Aspden. A whole team people from across the faculty sit on the FBS Athena Swan Committee and form the self-assessment team for applications. The members of the committee include representatives from each of the three schools in the faculty, from postdocs, HR, academics (both research and teaching staff).

We have recently recruited new members from the PhD student community, technical support, student service and professional services. This is to make sure our discussions and plans represent people from every part of the faculty.